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New to the forum, and currently part way through building my best bike.

Been back riding for a couple of years, and can now justify building up this Merlin.

Currently got the Frame, Front and Rear DA 7900 Mechs and KCNC CB1 Brakes.Also going to initially build it with Mavic Cosmos wheels, not the lightest, but will get it rolling.Finishing kit wise, I have Thomson Elite stem on the way, but I am completely undecided on the rest.I want compact bars, which restricts me a little, and I definitely do not want Carbon bars either Chainset is a minefield.... would love something like a Tune Smartfoot, or a KCNC, but we will see over the coming weeks.

Maybe silver Thomson seat post (or black if you must), then as many silver anodised pieces as possible. I quite like the idea of a mixed vintage Dura Ace group - 7900 shifters and mechs, plus 7800 or 7400 crank. Or you could go roughly period correct and use 7400 throughout. For aluminium compact bars, I would go for either 3T Pro Ergosums (looong reach) or Ergonova (short). Top it off with a Flite or Scratch saddle plus some nice handbuilt wheels and you have a bike for life.

Many thanks for the kind words guys. I think it is around a 2003 frame. I have the scary reciept upstairs from the previous owner

I have been looking at a few chainsets:Controltech ShieldTune BigfootTune SmartfootMiddleburnKCNCTA Carmina.

I have been offered a TA Carmina for a good price with a TA Axix Titanium bottom bracket, which I think I am going to go for. Its Anodized silver arms with Black Spider and Black TA Sirius Rings.Watch this space....

Currently got my Thomson Stem on the way, and just weighing up a few other parts.I think I want Continental Granf Prix 4000S, but I have been toying with the idea of open tubs, such as Clements or Veloflex Pave's However tarmac in my area is not great, and for the nice rides it will have I do not want to suffer with punctures or damaged sidewalls to the open tubs.

Also, seat posts, I have my eye on some Ti ones. It will either be that, or a nice carbon option. I have quite a long femur, so sit quite far back. This means if I ran a Thomson post it would have to be a layback, which I am not a massive fan of the look

Anyway, time to hit the Paypal account again over the next day or 2....

TA Specialities CarminaTA Specialities AXIX Titanium Bottom BracketTotal weight with all bolts ~900g (Again heavy, but I wanted a slender Aluminium chainset to go well against the frame, and the Anodized CNC black spider matches through with the KCNC Brakes, and the matt anodizing on the bars too)